Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema won’t seek reelection for US Senate seat
Mar 5, 2024, 1:31 PM
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 3: Then Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) arrives at the U.S. Capitol for a vote August 3, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Senate is voting on a resolution to ratify Finland and Swedens applications to join NATO. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema announced Tuesday she will not run for reelection for U.S. Senate, clearing the way for a likely two-way race between Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake.
Sinema, in a statement, said she would not run again because her political approach “is not what America wants right now.”
Sinema, Arizona’s senior senator and the first female to hold the position, has served in the role since 2019.
“I love Arizona and I am so proud of what we’ve delivered,” Sinema said. “Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year.”
A message for Arizonans from Senator Kyrsten Sinema pic.twitter.com/1XWFSWgGdh
— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) March 5, 2024
What did Sinema do while in the U.S. Senate?
Sinema’s willingness to work across party lines and target centrist voters, independents and Republican women helped her defeat Martha McSally.
She also focused on health care, education and veterans issues since taking office.
Most recently, she spearheaded a comprehensive border enforcement bill that was eventually killed by Senate Republicans.
“The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic, attacking your opponents on cable news or social media,” Sinema said.
“Compromise is a dirty word. We’ve arrived at that crossroad, and we chose anger and division.”
